Coronavirus Patient Treated With HIV Drugs Tests Negative in Kerala

The Union Health Ministry had recommended the use of anti-HIV drug combinations to treat COVID-19 patients on a case-to-case basis. 

Kochi: A British national who tested positive for coronavirus and was administered HIV antiretroviral drugs has now tested negative, doctors at the Ernakulam Medical College Hospital in Kochi, Kerala, said today. The patient responded well to the drugs combination of Ritonavir and Lopinavir and his latest test results showed he has tested negative for the virus, a hospital statement said.

The doctors said the treatment was effective on the patient who was given the drugs for seven days.The result of the test of his samples conducted three days after giving him the drugs returned negative, they said. Doctors made the disclosure of his recovery after the second test result on March 23 also turned out to be negative.